Frame for couch-hammocks and similar purposes.



I. E. PALMER.

FRAME FOR COUCH HAMMOCKS AND SIMILAR PURPOSES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22,1911.

1,179,958. Patented Apr. 18,1916.

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FRAME FOR COUCH HAMMOCKS AND SIMILAR PURPOSES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22119II 1 1 79,958 Patengei 3221316.

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ISAAC E. PALMER, OF. MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE I. E. PALMER 00., OF MIDDLE'IOWN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATIGN OF CONNECTICUT.

. FRAME FOR OOUCH- HAMMOCKS AND SIMILAR PURPOSES.

Application filed. June 22, 1911.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, IsAAo E. PALMER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Middletown, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Frames for Couch-Hammocks and Similar Purposes, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characterson the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to frames for couch hammocks and similar purposes.

In order that the principles of the invention may be readily understood, 1 have disclosed certain embodiments thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of a couch hammock or similar frame embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is adetail plan view on a larger scale of one end of the frame shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrating the frame of Figs. 1 and 2 when in folded condition; Fig. 4: is a detail showing one of the stop lugs which hold the end member in flat position in use; Fig. 5 is a view generally similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a modified form of my in vention; Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the hammock frame shown in Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a similar View showing the frame in folded condition.

The frame embodying my invention is peculiarly adapted for use in connection with couch hammocks, but may in certain forms thereof be of more general application.

The frame herein disclosed is composed of side and end parts preferably in the same or substantially the same plane suitably connected at their meeting ends, the end members being composed of a plurality of members jointed or hinged together, so that the frame with its seating may be compacted into small compass for transportation or shipment.

Couch hammocks have come into very extensive use, but the frames thereof are large and unwieldy, and this fact constitutes a serious objection to their shipment. I have provided a frame which can be folded into comparatively small compass together with its seating and yet can be readily brought into fiat or normal condition.

In that form of my invention shown in Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 18, 1%16.

Serial No. 634,782.

Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the side members of the frame are indicated at 1 r14i and are preferably of wood. The end parts of the frame are metallic and are composed of a plurality of members 15 of suitable number jointed together, the outside members 15 being rigidly secured by screws 16 or otherwise to the ends of the side parts 1eL-14l-. Preferably each member 15 is of skeleton form and is here shown as composed of longitudinal parts 15 and transverse parts 15 the parts 15 being prolonged so as to overlap with those of the next adjacent members 15 and to receive hinging bolts 17 or the like permitting the folding together of the frame. I have here represented al ernate members 15 as of greater width, thereby providing a compact form of joint. Any suitable seating may be employed with this form of my invention. In Fig. 1, I have shown a seating composed of one or more strands or cords 18, and I have provided the inner hinging bolt 17 with eyes 19, to which the seating may be secured, said bolts thus serving the double purpose of hinging the end members of the frame and providing securing means for the seating. In Fig. 2, I have indicated the use of end coiled springs 20 for a seating composed of links, the said coil springs 20 being attached to the eye 19.

As shown most clearly in Fig. i, one member of each joint is provided with a lug 21 extending laterally therefrom, which, when the frame is opened, underlies the other member of the joint, so as to form a shoulder preventing movement of the joint members beyond a horizontal or flat position.

It will be evident that the jointed end members of the frame constitute a species of toggle or truss, which when straightened,that is, when brought into a flat condition,positively and rigidly hold the side parts 1 l1t of the frame apart and overcome all tendency of the said side parts to collapse or move toward each other.

In Fig. 3, I have diagrammatically indicated the frame in folded condition, it being evident that any suitable number of jointed end members may be provided. It is evident that the frame disclosed in this form of my invention may be folded into very compact space, as indicated in Fig. 3. In

other words, the frame can be laterally collapsed in the manner of an accordion or bellows, and the seating conforms itself to the collapsing movements of the end members of the frame.

In both types of my invention, the side and end members are in substantially the same plane; therefore the frame is peculiarly adapted for use in connection With couch hammocks. The end members of the frame, although metallic, are light, owing to their skeleton formation. The bolts 17 indicated in Figs. 1, and 2 are sufficiently tight to prevent any deforming action of the frame when in use.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7, I have illustrated a slightly modified form of my invention, wherein I have shown joint members 22, 23, 24 and 25 jointed as represented by means of pivot pins 26 eccentrically received in the heads 27 of said joint members. Each of the members 22, 23, 24: and 25 is provided with a lug 28 as represented in Fig. 7 so that when the frame is extended, it is held in horizontal position. By eccentrically positioning the pins 26 I am enabled to fold the joint members into parallelism as indicated in Fig. 7.

Having thus described one illustrative embodiment of my invention, I desire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the'invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims:

1. A frame for couch hammocks and similar purposes composed of rigid side or longitudinal members and skeleton metallic end members secured thereto, said end members being each composed of a plurality of parts hinged together, and stops projected from a plurality ofsaid parts adjacent the hinges to support the frame in open position.

2. A frame for couch hammocks and similar purposes adapted to stand the strain of hammock suspension and composed of rigid side parts and skeleton ends secured thereto, each of said skeleton ends being composed of a plurality of parts jointed together, and a seating secured to the sides and ends of the frame.

3. A frame for couch hammocks and similar purposes adapted to stand the strain of hammock suspension and composed of rigid side parts and metallic skeleton ends having reinforced cross pieces, said sides and ends being secured together, each of said end pieces being composed of at least two parts hinged together, and a seating secured to the side parts and end pieces and foldable with the frame.

4. A frame for couch hammocks and similar purposes adapted to stand the strain of hammock suspension and composed of rigid side longitudinal parts and end members secured thereto, each of said end members being composed of a plurality of skeleton parts having offset hinge portions and stops, and a seating secured to the side and end portions of the frame and foldable with the folding of the frame.

A frame for couch hammocks and similar purposes adapted to stand the strain of hammock suspension and composed of rigid side parts and skeleton ends secured together, each of said ends being composed of a plurality of parts, jointing members for said parts having seat-receiving formations, and a seating secured to the sides and to said jointing members of the ends and foldable with the folding of the frame.

6. A frame for couch hammocks and similar purposes adapted to stand the strain of hammock suspension and composed of rigid side parts and skeleton ends secured together, each of said ends being composed of a plurality of parts, hinging bolts for said parts having spring-receiving eyes, a seating secured to the sides and having springs secured to the eyes of said hinging bolts, said seat being foldable with the folding of the frame.

' In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ISAAC E. PALMER.

WVitness'es:

FRED E. FOWLER, Tnos W. HALLORAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

